Friday, 29 October 2010

Barnet council's Brent Cross plans condemned

I haven't time to comment, but below is the press release from the Brent Cross Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan, on Barnet council's decision to pursue their unsustainable redevelopment plan. Contact the Coalition for more details.

Coalition Condemns Barnet’s Approval of Brent Cross Plans

The Coalition for a Sustainable Brent Cross Cricklewood Plan deplores yesterday’s decision by a single unelected official at Barnet Council to approve the fundamentally flawed planning application.

In terms of attracting private capital, this is an example of a "race to the bottom" by the Council - to get any sort of investment, come what may, and without serious consideration of the quality of the proposals.

Having lost £27 million in the Icelandic banks fiasco, and with its 'easyCouncil' approach failing to balance the books, it is not surprising that the Council have swallowed the developer’s claim it will “bring unprecedented investment into Barnet”. This controversial scheme is based on last century assumptions about housing, transport and mega shopping centres.

With capacity for additional retail space in London already under intense scrutiny, why double the Brent Cross shopping centre - causing further devastation of local high streets across North and West London?

The Coalition will continue to fight the plans building by building to ensure a sustainable scheme – one that the local community wants – is put in its place. If the developers truly wish for “meaningful engagement” with local residents, then it’s about time – it has been conspicuous by its total absence so far.

(2) The press have previously used a very glamorous artist’s impression of the development by night - in the interest of balance please consider using this graphic by the developers, it is from the planning application and shows the high-rise density of the scheme http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Zlc12g6TJYI/TF0hZ92BuTI/AAAAAAAABu8/J44crCUHL-I/s640/Brent+Cross+Concrete+Jungle.png

Barnet the Guinea Pig

"This model has a sound theoretical basis... [sic] However it is unproven at this scale." Future Shape cabinet report, 3 December 2008

"Nobody has said this is going to be easy, it's a work in progress, some of it will never see the light of day." Barnet council leader Mike Freer, 16 November 2009

"I do not believe Soviet bureaucratic initiatives like One Public Sector, Labour’s Total Place (and Barnet’s Future Shape / Easy Council) ideas are... the way forward."Barnet councillor Mark Shooter, 4 September 2010

“There are... many examples of long-term partnerships where the commitment and enthusiasm of the provider has waned over the duration of the contract. Major... organisations will generally resource extensively during the first year, or two, of a new contract but this level of resourcing diminishes as the contract moves to a more stable business as usual position.”One Barnet Procurement Principles, 1 March 2011

"...there can be little confidence that Barnet has the capability, and perhaps more worryingly the culture, necessary to meet the challenge posed by the letting and management of contracts that, under the One Barnet plan, will be far bigger than anything the Council has previously dealt with." 'London Borough of Barnet: Procurement and Contract Management', Association for Public Service Excellence, March 2012

Fellow sufferers

#SackBrian

Click on the pic for a small sample of the reasons Brian Coleman was sacked on 3 May as London Assembly member for Barnet and Camden

People of the year 2010: John Burgess and Maggi Myland

Almost a couple, because they spend so much time together! Two of Barnet council Unison branch's most dedicated servants (along with Helen Davies but she's probably well enough known!). These people have personal lives as well, and give up a lot to take on the lazy might of Barnet council under the Tories. The picture is of Maggi working the crowd at Barnet Christmas fair.